Going above and beyond to welcome your guests

[Airbnb]

Nothing makes guests feel more welcome than a handwritten note or a bouquet of fresh flowers. And when guests have a memorable stay, they’re more likely to leave glowing reviews, tell their friends and family about your space, and even come back for another visit.

Delighting your guests with a warm greeting can make them feel appreciated, but you don’t have to spend a lot of money. From thoughtful notes to freshly baked treats, here’s how some hosts around the world have gone above and beyond in welcoming their guests:

1. Write a friendly welcome note

When guests are traveling, a personalized welcome can be the difference between feeling homesick and feeling at home. “I have a little chalkboard in each room that welcomes the guests, and I include their names each time,” says host Huma of London. “It's such a small touch, but they really love this.”

You can leave the same sentiment in a handwritten note. “I recently decided to start to leave a welcome treat with a card,” says host Trude of Edsberg, Sweden. In your note, you might include your favorite place to get a coffee or a fun fact about your area.

2. Give your guests a taste of your town

One of the best ways to help your guests get settled is to introduce them to the top spots in your neighborhood. “We have a local bakery that makes a cinnamon cream cake that I happen to love, and I brought one to the first guest,” says host David of San Antonio, Texas, who now treats all of his guests to his favorite cake.

3. Put your own baking skills to work

If you’re a great baker, consider highlighting your hospitality skills by making your specialty for your guests. “I started leaving a few homemade cookies,” says host Beth of Roraima, Brazil. “I get a lot of return business, and the cookies have been commented on multiple times.”

4. Get your guests involved

In addition to offering a sweet treat, host David of San Antonio, Texas, leaves wine for his guests. “There’s a hashtag: #takeabottleleaveabottle,” says David, who encourages guests to replace the bottle they enjoyed with a new one. Over the years, the collection has grown: “We have a wall with five different types of wine,” he says. The one-in, one-out idea makes this an affordable option. You could also try this with books!

5. Create a snack basket

“We realize that people come to have a good time,” says host Jerry of Atlanta. “A lot of times they come back home, and they have the munchies.” So he now stocks his kitchen with a basket of snacks like microwave popcorn, cookies, potato chips, and pretzels.

6. Customize your treat

Get to know your guests, and be aware of their needs. “We leave a treat at check-in,” says host Laura of Frederick, Maryland. “Sometimes it’s local cheese, chocolate, or baked goods. Sometimes it’s local beer or a bottle of wine.” She messages her guests about any dietary restrictions first: “Not everyone drinks or can eat cheese, so I ask.“

If your guests have kids, a packet of stickers or a few juice boxes can be a thoughtful surprise. “If there are children, I leave a lollipop or small bag of candy and a small box of crayons [with a] coloring book,” says host Ann of New York City. And if your guests are traveling with pets, consider having dog treats on hand to share with their furry friends.

7. Show off your local culture

If there’s something inexpensive that your region is known for—such as leis in Hawaii—consider leaving something small to delight your guests at check-in. “One of the biggest things that we provide here is Mardi Gras beads,” says host Jordan of New Orleans. Guests appreciate these souvenirs, which can help them remember their stay long after checkout.

8. Get a little help from nature

From fresh flowers to homegrown vegetables, guests love the great outdoors. “I pick a sweet little bouquet for the guest room from my garden,” says host Sarah of Sayulita, Mexico. Fresh fruit or vegetables from a garden can also work well. Don’t have a garden? Inexpensive flowers from the grocery store or local market can be a colorful way to welcome your guests.

9. Save money by buying in bulk

Stocking up on supplies can save you time and money, but you can still add your special touch. Host Karen of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, buys her cookies wholesale, “which provides us with a super low-cost biscuit,” she says. She also found a quick way to personalize the treats: “We bought a sealer, and we package and seal the biscuits with our own label.”

10. Celebrate special occasions

Whether guests are visiting during a birthday, anniversary, or holiday, you can help make their stay even more memorable. “We had one couple staying for New Year's, so we got them a bottle of champagne,” says host Damon of Atlanta. Host Jennifer of Ontario, Canada, also keeps the occasion in mind. “If a guest is here for a specific celebration—birthday, honeymoon—I leave a little something appropriate to mark their celebration,” she says.

Going above and beyond to welcome your guests is always appreciated but remember: Hospitality doesn’t have to cost anything. A handwritten note can still show your guests you’re thinking of them, which can make all the difference when they’re far from home.

[Giuliana142]

I would like to emphasize how important the environment is to me as well. I was brainstorming some ideas that could help hosts welcome their guests. If items are environmentally challenging, how about coupons for breakfast in the area, coupons for cleaning/disinfecting detergents, 10% discount on this or that store in the area or McDonalds chain, any chain of restaurants, and the ideas go on and on. 
There shouldn’t be an expiry date on these coupons either.

 It’s time for Airbnb to spruce up their offerings too, not just us.
We’re all people.

[Gail175]

I agree about Airbnb wanting us to lower my prices. I’m as low as I’m going. I welcome my guests as if they are family. We discuss certain areas that I conserve on I.e. washing clothes etc. If we all work together to keep my expenses lower then I can keep my prices low. My guests all agree.

[Deanne45]

I increase exposure to our listing by creating a Facebook page with a button that links the Facebook page to our vacation rental listing sites. This creates exposure with people you know who in turn can share your page with others they know. At times I have received up to 5 inquiries a day. By linking your page to your listing, this weeds out attempted scams by forcing them to register and open a traveler account in which their information needs to be verified.

[Marjorie-And-Melissa0]

Clearly the Board of Health in the state you host would Fine you for cooking for your guests without a license, and Airbnb is now encouraging guests to break the laws in your state and when you as the host get screwed contact Airbnb and see how far they run... Get it together airbnb stop encouraging  people to get screwed by the state. 

[David4197]

very interesting

[Shannon218]

My rates are low. I noticed that lowering them beyond a certain point attracted a less desirable kind of guest. With a low rate, I find it hard to spend a few dollars on extras for guests. I have an air bnb room in my home, not a house. I stopped offering coffee and snacks. It’s just not feasible. I try to make up for that with a clean, attractive, safe place that’s easy to maneuver. I saw the offer to get paid for cancelations but it takes 10% off my rate. That’s too much. 

[Pam1353]

I love being a host, I’ve had incredible guests, i just keep my price point where I need it to be and ignore the suggestions from Airbnb. 

[Edge17]

We give our guests laminated discount coupons for our two restaurants that way we know when they're used, because the restaurants give them back to us to use again. "Ole RV Airbnb" Horseshoe Bend, Idaho (Edge and Jess Ann)

[Paula360]

And the next notification will be “10 ways to make the host feel special”.  Brilliant!

One host suggested Airbnb should be giving us Airbnb lanyards and logo soaps to in turn give to our guests.  I'm not up for the "products" gifts as those small items are what makes the tourist industry so environmentally challenging.

However, after a certain time of being a superhost, Airbnb offered me a $100 travel voucher as a reward. Brilliant idea. Except I was given such a tiny window to use it and then it expired.

I haven't heard any one else mention this reward so I'm unsure who gets them and for what.  I think this sort of incentive from Airbnb is a fabulous idea and should be developed to work better. And that doesnt need to be just for super hosts.... Maybe when you achieve 500 nights, or 250 reviews, or some other milestone. Then the voucher must have at least a 3 month life to make the booking.

I hope Airbnb is reading this.

[Giuliana142]

I have 1 review so far. Have had 4 guests. I use to be a guest. Again, I don’t believe that numbers define a person.

[David3817]

We make sure to present a clean, safe and comfortable home to our guests during their stay. I suppose we've been lucky that only one person has requested a "better rate", which we declined. We found that those that pay less, also value your place less. We ignore the "tips" to lower our prices. Perhaps Air BnB could lower their rates?

[Heather251]

100% agree. The people asking for a discount or “your best rate” are not worth hosting. I’ve been hosting both a room in my house and a number of other whole house listings for nearly 5 years and that’s a lesson I’ve learned well. They’re going to expect the ritz Carlton for the motel 6 price. The price is the price. Stick to what you know the listing is worth. 

[Giuliana142]

@Airbnb @Paula360  This is a good discussion. There’s so much that Airbnb could do to make our hosting responsibilities easier. Offer discounts and coupons that hosts can use in general stores to be able to provide basics and a pleasant stay for their guests. I am not in favour of polluting our planet - no keychains and no plastic stuff. Consumable items is what I have in mind. Mini soaps, mini toothpaste, ... mints... 

Since my guests are welcome to share my kitchen I always ask them to collect peels and food leftovers in a separate container because I compost degradable matter in my garden.  I bury it. Also, my cats like to take care of some of our leftovers.

I believe all hosts and guests should be treated with equal respect. It does not matter if one had 5 guests or 500 guests. A number should not define who we are. Some are able to provide more some less. In order to manage Airbnb rentals properly hosts should be provided with Airbnb money which they can spend at stores to prepare their rentals for their guests.

[Paula360]

@Airbnb @Giuliana142 

yes, a conversation about hosting rewards is interesting and I hope Airbnb is listening in.

I guess the range of hosts is very different. You have a spare room with seemingly a small number of great stays. I have a completely self contained separate space within my home with 100s of stays. There's the hosts who own multiple properties that they Airbnb across a city. And I even read one guy with a high end property talking about the theft of a $7000 doona cover! Quite the extremes!

I'm not particularly supportive of the hosts who own multiple properties specifically to Airbnb as this changes the face and values of a city and pushes the rental market. This impact is taken to the extreme in some European cities. Not sure they need rewards!

Realistically Airbnb are a business. It's not financially feasible for Airbnb to hand out stuff to a host of just 5 guests.

I do agree that a rewards system should not be just a numbers game.

I'd like to think of those "compliments" that are added to the host reviews (provided by guests). All those things like "sparkling clean" and "personal touches".  If I was in charge of developing a host reward program I'd be keen to develop something around that compliments system.

[Giuliana142]

As someone once said, never compare yourself with another person.

If Airbnb is asking for a certain criteria to be met, they should reimburse for those expenses.

Compliments don’t pay bills.